The International Firearm Training Academy’s (ITA) push to increase female representation through its Women Who Train programme attracted 150% more applicants than initially anticipated.
Launched to empower women across South Africa, the initiative was designed to identify and develop six women from diverse backgrounds, with little to no prior firearm experience, and upskill them on an entrepreneurial journey to become qualified firearm instructors.
A total of 257 applicants responded to the national call, representing a wide cross-section of South African society. The applicants were carefully assessed and progressively narrowed down to 39 based on suitability, potential, and alignment with the programme’s objectives, before undergoing competency-based interviews by a panel of four experts from both the firearms industry and the human-sciences field.
Applicants represented diverse age groups, cultural backgrounds, professions, and geographic locations. From housewives and former teachers to professionals in the beauty industry and women from high-risk rural communities, the response highlighted a shared desire: to build confidence, develop training skills and contribute to safer communities. The highest number of applications were from Gauteng, followed by the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, and Mpumalanga.
“Our Women Who Train programme aims to address a clear gap within the firearms training environment, namely the low representation of female instructors in the industry,” says Nikki Pretorius, ITA’s CEO and Women Who Train lead instructor. “Recognising that many women prefer to learn from other women, the initiative seeks to develop capable female instructors who can create more accessible and relatable training spaces.”
Of the 39 applicants, 13 finalists were selected to participate in the programme’s basic firearm training phase, completed in March 2026. The 13 finalists underwent foundational firearm training covering the legal requirements for firearm ownership for self-defence, safe handling principles, and the core fundamentals required to responsibly use a firearm. Training was conducted across all four firearm disciplines, with candidates required to complete two written examinations and practical qualification shoots.
Pretorius calls out the emergence of consistent trends specific to female learners, particularly around upper body strength and overall body dynamics.
“The way women engage with a firearm, from maintaining aim to operating mechanical components like a bolt-action rifle or racking a pistol slide, is often different to men. These are factors that are not always fully considered in traditional training environments,” she says.
As the programme progresses, ITA will work closely with a further shortlisted nine candidates to advance to the Business Purposes phase to address these challenges and develop effective techniques, as increased practical proficiency and performance will be critical to meeting the required qualification standards.
When asked to reflect on what surprised them most about their own experience during the first week of training, the candidates highlighted just how emotionally demanding the process was.
One participant shared, “The level of stress I experienced during the handgun practical really surprised me. At times it was overwhelming, even to the point of tears. But I learnt that strength isn’t about not being affected. It’s about choosing to keep going anyway.”
Others spoke about how perceived limitations became motivation, with one candidate noting, “I see it as an opportunity to challenge perceptions and show that women from different backgrounds, including hijabi women, can succeed in this field.”
A strong and consistent theme across the group was the connection formed between the women, captured in the words of another participant: “I learnt that even the smallest things like a kind word, a hug, a helping hand make a difference. There is real power in our bond.”
Together, these reflections highlight not only the technical progression of the candidates, but the personal growth and collective strength that has emerged throughout the programme.
“This programme isn’t about teaching six women how to shoot; it’s about creating a ripple effect of entrepreneurship opportunities within the industry. When one woman learns to lead in a space like this, she opens the door for hundreds of others to follow.
We will continue to challenge perceptions and create space for women in a traditionally male-dominated field, demonstrating that capability, confidence, and leadership can be developed through opportunity and access,” says Pretorius.